Geneva Environment Network 7d ago

For decades, the environmental justice movement, international human rights experts and the people on the frontlines of the human rights crisis have been demanding action, guided by human rights, to stop climate change, build climate resilience and remedy climate harms anchored in the strong principles of climate justice. After decades of demands, and the unequivocal devastation created by climate change and interrelated crises (pollution, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, water and food insecurity, etc), the International Court of Justice found that States have human rights obligations relative to climate change and a duty to prevent significant harm to the environment, including the climate system. The Sumaúma Tree, referred to by many Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon rainforest as the tree of life, is the inspiration for the Sumaúma Pledging Tree for Human Rights-Based Climate Action. The Sumaúma Pledging Tree invites different stakeholders to make commitments for Human Rights-Based Climate Action and be a part of the collective solution, the global mutirão, we need to stop climate change and remedy its worst impacts. These are concrete examples/practices to take specific action, with the aim of promoting, protecting and ensuring human rights in the context of climate change. The panel will introduce the Sumaúma Pledging Tree and highlight examples of climate action that are transformative, innovative, catalytic and actionable, which brings about positive impacts for the enjoyment of human rights. States and other relevant actors are urged to propose pledges to help the Sumaúma Pledging Tree grow and thrive. This side event to the 62th session of the Human Rights Council is organized by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change and the UNFCCC COP30 Special Envoy on Human Rights and Just Transition, with the support of the Geneva Environment Network. More information: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/the-sumauma-pledging-tree-for-human-rights-based-climate-action-hrc62-side-event/